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If you have a Facebook or Twitter account you are very aware of the recent postings of Kony2012. If you don’t, I’ll just assume that you are still very aware of the recent uproar over Kony2012. However, if you’re not aware… I’ll just say that I will never understand the evil that some people are.

It’s incredible to know how much we don’t know about the things that are going on outside of our backyards. There is so much evil, corruption and harm going on that we either turn a blind eye or we are just too concerned with what is going on specifically in our own backyards. We are too concerned with our own politics, our own lives and our own greed. I’m not passing judgment on anyone. Living your life the way you want to is completely your prerogative. It is beyond obvious that I am no saint (far from it).

The YouTube videos, news feeds, documentaries and reports I have watched and read recently have slapped me in the face. And it hurt!

This is not entirely about Kony2012. This is about potential water shortages in third world countries, this is about children being killed, this is about our planet being used to the maximum -this is simply about awareness.

I’ll keep this relatively short.

There are over 66,000 children abducted by the LRA (the leader of which is Joseph Kony)

There are over 1 billion people in the world going to bed hungry

Nearly a billion people do not have access to clean and safe water

Close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.

Approximately 72 million primary school age students are not in school

Over 15 million children have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS

These are statistics that mean something to me. These are issues that mean something to me. I understand the mentality of one person can’t change the world. Well, I understand why some would believe that. I, personally, don’t believe it. One person can change the world. How? Simple, staying informed and informing. Thriving for change and making change happen. You don’t have to be a billionaire (there’s only approximately 490+ billionaires!) to help people in need. You just have to do something. Anything. You’re probably wondering, “preach much?? what are you doing?”.

I’m writing this. Quite publicly. I’ve had my problems with voicing my opinions in the open, but you know what, freedom of speech, right?! I’m also watching and reading as much on things that I am concerned with, water shortages, hate crimes, killings, children being abducted and used for war, cancer, aids, OUR PLANET. I know better informing isn’t ACTIVELY doing something, but it’s a start. What comes next? Informing those around you, finding organizations that you can work with or help directly (I know there are a few out there that just aren’t the bees knees), continuing to learn and heck, buying one less water bottle a day.

It’s the little things that make the worlds difference. Little things add up and before you know it, you’re looking at something bigger than you.

I just can’t sit and listen to critiques about worldwide issues and people assuming that the “white man” is coming to the rescue. I think that term is a load of POOP. We should all be willing to help each other, our race or nationality shouldn’t matter.

Just take a look at all that has happened in the last 100 years, regardless of if you were alive or not. That alone should make you want to do something, anything.

The sites above are in no particular order, please visit them (if you choose to). They are all brilliant in their own way.

Help make change, whatever battle it is you choose.

-D

PS

Here’s the video in regards to Kony 2012 (I highly recommend watching InvisibleChildren’s earlier films as well. Also, watch Home, this is brilliant also Tapped , Blue Gold: World Water Wars and my favourite of all Flow: For love of water . These are all amazing documentaries and only a handful of ones I appreciate. More to come, soon :).

Not too long ago, well okay – a month ago today, I wrote a post titled Traditional Turkish Cooking and talked about attempting to cook traditional foods everyday (or every other day). Clearly, I lied. I have made absolutely no effort, whatsoever, to cook Turkish foods. I’m not entirely sure why. I’m still very interested in attempting it but I’ve just been so side tracked by cooking with zucchini, quinoa and Asian vegetables and sauces that Turkish food just isn’t a priority. So I am writing this as a reminder, mainly to myself, that I will attempt different recipes at least once a week. I’m not promising any photographs or recipes, unless of course I succeed and am proud of what I’ve cooked. Heck, I may not even mention I’ve attempted cooking something if it turns out absurdly awful.

There are two reasons why I may not even mention the failed attempts, should they happen. Number one, I feel like I would be failing my ancestors should I fail. I’d feel as though cooking certain foods should just come to me, naturally. Yes, I do realize how crazy that sounds. Try not to judge too harshly! Number two, well, I’ll probably try the recipe again till I succeed, in which case I will go on to write about the win rather than the lose. I’m a perfectionist and have a hard time giving up on things. Especially things that I am passionate about.

As you can see, I’m trying not to give up on this. Trying is the key word here :).

Sweet dreams, good morning, hello/goodbye.

-D

PS

The two tables I am refinishing (dining room table as well as coffee table) should be done within the next two weeks, I’m hoping. I reiterate, I never thought refinishing was so tedious. Stay tuned for pictures of all the refinishing projects!

I am mad, crazy, insane about the lemon & poppy-seed combination. I think they go together just as peanut butter and jam do. Match made in heaven:). So, it was to my complete amazement that I had yet to bake anything that was lemon/poppy-seed. I couldn’t believe it. I’m a huge fan of tiny cups of deliciousness, as I’ve said in previous posts – I didn’t want to make a loaf or a cake or anything ridiculously large. Muffins it would have to be! Turns out, just like most recipes, there’s over a million, billion “the best” or “to die for” recipes out there. BAH! I decided to just go with one of my favourite sites JoCooks.

I’m glad I did. These muffins were to die for, stupidly delicious and, if you can believe it, remotely healthy. PERFECT (considering I’m on a healthy food and gym kick :)). But seriously, just look at it, don’t those look amazing? I’m sure you don’t truly care about the picture, so I’ll get on with giving you the recipe.

The Recipe

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons cream cheese

1/4 cup butter, softened (I used a teensy bit less)

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

zest from one lemon

lemon juice from 1/2 lemon (I used almost the full lemon)

1/2 teaspoon salt (okay, so for the salt…I ran out of normal salt and all I had on hand was sea salt, I didn’t crush it up, I just through it in as is, the little kick of salt once in a while is GOOD)

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

The Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Add butter and sugar into bowl and mix until light and fluffy

3. Add the egg and cream cheese and continue mixing until everything is thoroughly mixed